Lawrence Okolie believes that he would be too strong for Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to face him when he moves up to cruiserweight.
Okolie is the WBO cruiserweight champion and stands at 6’5”, eight inches clear of the Mexican.
Despite being the super middleweight undisputed champion, Canelo has decided to move up to cruiserweight in May to face WBC champion Ilunga Makabu, though there remain doubts that the fight will go ahead, with light heavyweight still seen by many as the most likely next stop.
Okolie is keen to unify the belt, having suggested he could fight Mairis Briedis next, but does not believe Canelo will ever be an option.
"No matter what, Canelo is a great fighter," Okolie told The Mirror. "He might be smaller or whatever else but he's pound-for-pound No.1.
"Him and Makabu is actually an interesting fight that makes you go 'oh, who do I favour in that one?'
"I'm realistic and I just can't see me and Canelo fighting, I'd be so shocked if they wanted that fight.
“Not because they're scared or anything but just the height difference, the weight difference, the strength it's just too much.
"He's probably the best in the world at the moment, a very talented fighter, but there's just limitations to the human body.
"That is someone who weighs in at 200lb vs. someone who's able to weigh in at 168lb, not to mention what they are on the day.
"It would be nice for my bank account and of course my legacy, but I just can't see it happening personally."
Okolie is set to fight on February 27 in a title defence against Michael Cieslak.